Acorn alumnus' restaurant wins two Michelin stars

Acorn alumnus Allister Barsby has won a second Michelin star for his restaurant Hide and Fox in the 2025 Great Britain and Ireland guide.

The 2015 Acorn Award winner (centre right in image) and his business partner Alice Bussi (centre left in image) opened Hide and Fox in June 2019.  It was awarded its first Michelin star 18 months later in January 2021.

The restaurant, based in Saltwood near the Kent coast, was one of three one-star restaurants to be awarded a second star at the ceremony, with the other two being the Ritz Restaurant and Humble Chicken, both in London.

The three restaurants now join the ranks of 25 other two-star Michelin restaurants in the UK, including Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons in Oxfordshire, Claude Bosi at Bibendum in London, and the Hand and Flowers in Marlow.

Speaking to The Caterer, Barsby said: "Winning two Michelin stars is the pinnacle of any chef’s career, and being an Acorn winner at 25 really set things in motion and opened up opportunities for me.

"My career has grown organically since and earning two stars is no exception. We just do what we do, and it’s amazing to receive such recognition for the team who work so hard, but are so natural in what they produce."

The Hide and Fox serves modern British food on the site of a former village shop.

The Michelin Guide said the “delightful neighbourhood restaurant” serves dishes that “are exquisitely crafted and deliver fabulous flavours and textures”, while wine served is sourced from “up-and-coming regions” including Georgia and Macedonia.

“Service comes from a charming team who work with pride and passion”, it added.

Barsby, who is chef patron at the restaurant, has cooked in kitchens including Gidleigh Park in Devon under Michael Caines, where he was working at the time of his Acorn win.

He was made head chef at the hotel aged 24 before taking up the position as executive chef at Grove of Narberth in Pembrokeshire, Wales in January 2016.

Commenting on the recognition on Instagram, Hide and Fox said: “Overwhelmed doesn’t quite describe the feeling. Our little neighbourhood restaurant has been awarded two Michelin stars.

“Thank you to our amazing team who work so hard to produce our food, make our guests feels so welcome and give the best service possible.”

The red book announced 22 new one-star restaurants and three new two-star restaurants on Monday, with Mark Birchall’s Moor Hall in Lancashire becoming the 10th three-star restaurant in Great Britain and Ireland.

2025 Acorns Awards are open now for nominations.

Image courtesy of Hide and Fox